metal wheel sets

[prairieboy2765]

 Hi all. I'm in the process of replacing all my wheelsets with metal ones, but noticed there alot of sizes and styles available. How do you know what size is for what car (gondolas, grain cars, flat decks), and if they'll fit in the trucks properly? I should point out all of my fleet is mostly Athearn, so middle-of-the-road quality. Any good sites for this?

[willy6]

I'm sure someone has a prototypical answer, but i use P2K 36" wheels on covered hoppers and tank cars and P2K 33" wheels on everything else. I do not have any passenger cars or a caboose. I think a caboose should be 28" wheels.

[loathar]

P2K's are good. Intermountains are a bit better. The IM's have a little longer axle, so if a P2K is too loose, try an IM set. There is also Reboxx who makes all different length axles for the trucks that won't acccept a P2K or IM. Most cars will use a 33" wheel. 
GET A TRUCK TUNER TOOL!
http://www.micromark.com/HO-TRUCK-TUNER,8241.html

http://www.imrcmodels.com/ho/hoacc.htm

http://www.reboxx.com/wheelsets.htm

[cwclark]

I use 33" intermountain metal wheels. They come in a box of 100 (the most economical way to purchase them) from internettrains.com  I think i paid like $179.00 for the box so that's $1.79 a set.You are doing a good thing changing over to metal wheels.You're gonna see the difference it makes with the ease the car will roll and reduced  track cleaning down time metal wheels offer.....chuck

[D&HRR]

cwclark

I use 33" intermountain metal wheels. They come in a box of 100 (the most economical way to purchase them) from internettrains.com  I think i paid like $179.00 for the box so that's $1.79 a set.You are doing a good thing changing over to metal wheels.You're gonna see the difference it makes with the ease the car will roll and reduced  track cleaning down time metal wheels offer.....chuck

I second that, I have both P2K & Intemountain. I like the IM a little better but they both work great in most freight cars by Athearn.

[loathar]

Chuck-You need to shop at a different store!
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/product_p/imr-40055.htm

 

[nbrodar]

 I use Intermountain wheels exclusively. They add a great deal of heft (they're all metal) and roll forever.  Once I started using them, I found every peak & valley on my layout.

33" for the majority of my freight cars and cabooses.  36" for the 100 ton coal hoppers and coil cars.  I'm also just starting to convert my passenger fleet to metal wheels, using 36" IM wheels.   I get them for $65 per 100 at my LHS.

Nick